As the 9/11 anniversary approaches, experts wonder if the United States could withstand a breach of its power network, or whether the so-called "smart grid," which promises more efficient energy use, is more vulnerable to cyber attacks than the old one. The answers are yes and yes.

When it comes to protecting against hackers, the nation's electric utilities are about where the financial and telecommunications industries were a decade ago, according to Andy Bochman, Energy Security Lead for IBM's Rational division, which focuses on smart-grid security software. 

Bochman says the electrical sector has been late in the game when it comes to embracing information technology that focuses on security, but is catching up.

"We are now at a sustained back-and-forth between the powers that are trying to attack these systems, and forces aligned to defend them," Bochman said.

While that statement may sound a bit like a sci-fi plot, the reality is that utilities across the country have seen a big increase in deliberate attacks, as well as inadvertent screw-ups that have thrown thousands of customers into the dark.

In a study released in April of electrical utilities by McAfee, the computer security firm, and the Center for Strategy and International Studies in Washington, utility industry executives from 14 nations found that things are getting worse....